Women Leaders Kicks off 2017 Executive Institute

PRESS RELEASE

July 17, 2017
Contact: Rachel DeSchepper
Women Leaders in College Sports
[email protected]
816-389-8208

Kansas City, Mo. – Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA) kicked off the 2017 Women Leaders / NCAA Executive Institute (EI) today with some of the most respected leaders in intercollegiate athletics in attendance. The Institute runs from July 17-20.

Held every other year and organized in partnership with the NCAA, EI provides an inspiring learning experience that teaches executive leadership solutions with the intention of advancing high-level women athletic administrators to executive positions—including directors of athletics, conference commissioners, or executive directors/CEOs—within the next two to four years.

New this year are two distinct EI tracks: one for Division I administrators, and one for Division II and III administrators. This doubles attendance from 12 in previous years to 25 administrators, which helps the organization offer specific, tailored resources to each division. Scholarships were granted to attendees who showed a need for financial assistance.

2017 EI attendees are:

Division I

  • Julie Cromer Peoples, Associate Vice Chancellor, Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA, University of Arkansas
  • Dena Freeman-Patton, Deputy Athletic Director, California State University, Bakersfield
  • Vanessa Fuchs, Senior Associate Athletics Director/SWA, Florida State University
  • Darrice Griffin, Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
  • Monique Holland, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director for Administration/SWA, Southern Methodist University
  • Danielle Irle, Deputy Director of Athletics/SWA, University of North Dakota
  • Mónica Lebrón, Deputy Athletic Director/COO, Tulane University
  • Sara Liebscher, Senior Director, Athletics Advancement, University of Notre Dame
  • Maggie McKinley, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director/SWA, University of Cincinnati
  • Nicki Moore, Senior Associate Director/SWA, University of North Carolina
  • Regina Sullivan, Executive Senior Associate Athletic Director, Northeastern University
  • Adrianne Swinney, Deputy Athletics Director, University of North Carolina, Wilmington

Division II & Division III

  • Michelle Caddigan, Associate Athletic Director for Internal Operations/SWA, Wingate University
  • Kate Corcoran, Associate Director of Athletics, Cabrini University
  • Amanda Cuiffo, Associate Director of Athletics, Wheelock College
  • Marie Curran-Headley, SWA/Head Softball Coach, SUNY Buffalo State
  • Summer Hutcheson, Associate Director of Athletics/SWA, Mount Holyoke College
  • Crystal Lanning, Interim Athletic Director, University of Wisconsin, River Falls
  • Michelle Manning, Associate Director of Athletics for Finance & Administration/SWA, Ithaca College
  • Tiffany McCampbell, Associate Athletic Director of Internal Operations/SWA, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
  • Natasha Oakes, Associate Director of Athletics for Compliance/SWA, Missouri Western State University
  • Jennifer Rushton, Senior Associate Athletic Director for Compliance/SWA, Armstrong State University
  • Kelly Scafariello, Associate Director of Athletics, Salve Regina University
  • Beth Tiffany, Associate Athletics Director, Union College

NCAA/Women Leaders in College Sports Executive Institute graduates have experienced very high advancement rates within intercollegiate athletics. Of the twelve 2011 Executive Institute graduates, nine have either advanced or been promoted to senior-level positions. Five have become athletic directors (three at the Division I level), and one has become a senior-level administrator at the NCAA. In addition, three of the more recent 2015 graduates have advanced—two to become NCAA DI athletic directors and one to become a DIII athletics director.

To follow along with EI on social media, follow #EI17.

About Women Leaders in College Sports

Founded in 1979, Women Leaders in College Sports (formerly NACWAA; www.womenleadersincollgesports.org) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to develop, connect, and advance women leaders working in intercollegiate athletics. More than 3,500 members strong, Women Leaders promotes the growth, leadership, and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches, and student-athletes.